Chromosome analysis in operating room personnel

Cytogenetic tests were performed on operating room personnel working in a Turin hospital. The aim of our study was to determine if any chromosome damage was caused by the use of anaesthetic gases. Blood samples were collected from 45 hospital workers: 15 exposed to anaesthetic gases, 15 exposed to both anaesthetic gases and ionizing radiations and 15 controls. An examination of sister-chromatid exchanges did not highlight significant differences when exposed subjects were compared to controls. Chromosomal aberrations were significantly higher (P = 0.029) in all the exposed personnel, while no statistically significant increase was observed in staff exclusively in contact with anaesthetic gases. Moreover there was a positive correlation for chromosome aberrations with the years of employment, when the entire exposed population was considered and when personnel from the different operating rooms were considered separately. Both sister-chromatid exchange and chromosomal aberrations were higher among smokers though differences were not statistically significant.